Friday, May 6, 2022

Dear Eriberto,

Two months ago, I invited business and community leaders to tour the future space of the Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub (W.I.S.H.). Located in the New Lee District Community Center, the W.I.S.H. will provide residents with training and job placement in the building trades and in-demand tech jobs.

This Saturday at 11 AM, the public is invited to attend the official ribbon-cutting of the Lee District Community Center and hear from the leaders who made this vision a reality. (rain or shine) RSVP and find details at: https://bit.ly/LeeDistrictOpening

The community center is located at 7950 Audubon Ave, Alexandria, VA, the former location of the Mount Vernon Athletic Club. Fairfax County purchased the building in May 2020 to establish a multi-service center. The community center will provide family-friendly recreation, youth programs, community resources, and the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub.

Melwood and Building Momentum, two organizations with successful job training experience, will operate the W.I.S.H. Along with our operators, our partnerships include Amazon, Dominion Energy, George Mason University, and Inova Health System.

I look forward to seeing you at the ribbon-cutting.

Watch: Wrap Up of the W.I.S.H. soft opening event. 

Also, Village Hardware customers can round up their purchases throughout the month of May to support the new Workforce Innovation Skills Hub. All proceeds will go to Melwood, the operator of the W.I.S.H. and a 501 C3 nonprofit. Funds raised from the round-ups will go towards training and job placement programs. Thank you to Angie Heaad, Manager of Village Hardware, for supporting the W.I.S.H.

Please contact my office if we can assist you.

1. Supervisor Lusk in the News 
2. Supervisor Lusk in the Community
3. Small Business Week in Fairfax County
4. Early Voting Information for 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary
5. Veteran and Military Spouse Virtual Career Fair
6. Friends of Kingstowne Library Big Book Sale
7. Ticks and Tick Bite Prevention
8. COVID-19 Resources

Supervisor Lusk in the News

New Lee District Community Center Open in Hybla Valley:

https://patch.com/virginia/greateralexandria/new-lee-district-community-center-open-hybla-valley

By Emily Leayman, Patch

The community center is located at 7950 Audubon Ave, Alexandria, VA, the former location of the Mount Vernon Athletic Club. Fairfax County purchased the building in May 2020 with the intention of establishing a multi-service center. The center will have recreation, youth programs, other community resources, and the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub. The latter is a workforce training and development center to help residents move into higher-paying jobs.

"Not only will this be a space for recreation, but the community center will be an accessible location for residents to learn the skills needed to get a good-paying job," said Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk in a statement. "The Workforce Innovation Skills Hub (W.I.S.H.), housed in the new community center, will provide residents with training in the building trades and in-demand technology jobs."

Supervisor Lusk in the Community

Over the weekend, I joined Senator Scott Surovell and Delegate Paul Krizek for the annual Little Hunting Creek Clean-up.

In total, volunteers picked up 200 bags of trash, ten shopping carts, and several tires.

Thank you to the residents that joined us, and congratulations to Senator Surovell for organizing another successful clean-up.

Thank you to the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions for visiting my office to discuss environmental initiatives and your priorities!

Small Business Week in Fairfax County

In celebration of the SBA’s small business week, we cheer the small businesses that make up more than 90% of the businesses and one third of all employees in Fairfax County. If you are starting or running a small business, FFX Co is focused on how to help you be successful! Here are a just few examples of current small business opportunities:

• Want specialized advice? Check out BIZ EX Starting a Business Guide for step-by-step information.
• Are you a maker? You should join Made In Fairfax to be linked to like-minded makers in FFX
• Want a place to sell your goods and services? Check out PARC Tysons Shop Local Saturday Markets
•  Need space? Watch this You Tube Seminar on Choosing Space

These are just a few of the many ways Fairfax County supports its small business community. Learn more at FairfaxCounty.gov.

Early Voting Information for 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary

Early voting begins May 6 for the Democratic primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives, 8th District.

Any registered Fairfax County voter in the 8th District may vote early, and can cast their ballot at any early voting site.

Details: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/early-voting-begins-may-6-june-21-democratic-congressional-primary

Veteran and Military Spouse Virtual Career Fair

Are you a veteran or military spouse looking to advance or change your career? Northern Virginia businesses want to hire you!

Interview with 50 leading companies in Northern Virginia collectively hiring for 10,000 positions across multiple sectors during the Veteran & Military Spouse Virtual Career Fair on May 12.

Veterans and military spouses in the government, IT, finance, defense, renewable energy and healthcare sectors will have the opportunity to network with mission-driven companies actively hiring and supporting military communities.

Website for Registration: https://workinnorthernvirginia.com/virtual-career-fairs/

Friends of Kingstowne Library Big Book Sale

Friends of the Kingstowne Library are hosting an in-person used book sale on May 21, 10:00AM - 3:00 PM! Featuring their complete inventory of Biographies, Business Books, Children Books, Classics, Cookbooks, Craft Books, Family and Marriage Books, Fiction, Health And Fitness Books, Histories, Religious Themed Books, Science Books, Self Help Books, Oldies But Goodies, & Gems. Plus DVDs, Comic Books, & Graphic Books.  

Ticks and Tick Bite Prevention

Ticks are present throughout Fairfax County and are often found in wooded areas, brushy fields, along trails and around homes. Ticks can spread diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis. Preventing tick bites, controlling ticks around your yard and prompt removal of ticks are important ways to help prevent tick bites and the diseases that ticks may transmit.

Avoiding tick bites is the best way to prevent tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease. It is important to be extra vigilant from March through October when ticks are most active and people spend more time outdoors. Blacklegged ticks, which potentially transmit Lyme disease, are also active on warm winter days when the temperature is greater than 40 °F.

More Information: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/fightthebite/ticks